On Rover, open Past bookings, pick the stay, tap Leave a review, add stars and comments, then submit within 21 days.
Why Reviews Matter For Pet Care
A short, honest note helps other pet parents decide and helps sitters grow. Feedback also shapes the marketplace.
What You Can Review
You rate the stay with stars from one to five. You can add a written note. Tips are optional and go in the same flow as the review.
Where To Find The Review Button
On phone or tablet, open the app and head to Inbox, then Past. Pick the booking, tap Leave a review or tip, choose your stars, and write your note. On desktop, sign in, open Messages, switch to Past, pick the booking, and follow the prompts.
Quick Paths To The Review Form
| Platform | Menu Path | What You’ll See |
|---|---|---|
| Rover app | Inbox → Past → booking → Leave a review or tip | Star selector, public text box, optional private feedback, tip field, Submit |
| Desktop site | Messages → Past → booking → Leave a review | Star selector, public text box, optional private feedback, Submit |
When You Can Post
The window opens right after the booking ends. You have 21 days to post. For recurring services, some regions use a shorter seven-day window. If both sides post, each side’s note shows once both are in or when the window closes.
See the official review policy and the step list for tip and review steps for more detail.
Step-By-Step: Phone
- Open the app and log in.
- Tap Inbox at the bottom.
- Switch to Past.
- Open the stay.
- Tap Leave a review or tip.
- Pick a star count.
- Write a clear, skin-in-the-game note: what went well, any gaps, and whether you would book again.
- Add a tip if you want.
- Tap Submit.
Step-By-Step: Desktop
- Visit the site and sign in.
- Click Messages.
- Switch to Past.
- Open the stay thread.
- Click Leave a review.
- Choose stars.
- Write your comments.
- Submit.
What Your Star Rating Means
Five stars signal that the service matched or exceeded your expectations. Four stars say solid work with small gaps. Three stars signals mixed results. Two or one stars flag issues you want other pet parents to know.
Tips For Writing A Helpful Note
- Lead with the core outcome: safe care, clear updates, and pet comfort.
- Share one or two specifics: check-in photos, walks, feeding, meds, cleanliness, pickup timing.
- Keep tone calm and factual.
- Avoid private details you would not want public.
- Would you book again? Say so.
How The Platform Handles Feedback From Sitters
Sitters can leave feedback on your pet and your handoff. That feedback is visible to you and to sitters you contact. It is not public on your profile the way your review is on the sitter’s page. Learn more in the official note on the feedback feature.
Why Your Review Might Not Be Visible Yet
Two things hold it back. First, reviews are shared once both sides submit or when the window ends. Second, a star-only note still counts but shows no text. Wait until the window closes to see if text appears. The help page on seeing client reviews explains the star-only case.
Leaving A Rover Review: Step-By-Step On Phone And Web
Prep
Confirm the booking ended and shows in Past. Gather your thoughts into two or three short lines. Aim for clarity over flair.
The Flow
- Open the app or site.
- Open the Past thread for the stay.
- Find Leave a review or Leave a review or tip.
- Choose a star count that matches your experience.
- Write your note.
- Add a tip if you wish.
- Submit.
What Happens Next
You’ll see a confirmation. Your sitter may not see the text until either you both submit or the window closes. The star count updates their profile metrics. If you left only stars, it still counts toward that total.
Why You Should Post Within The Window
The 21-day clock matters. Reviews add context for the next pet parent. Timely notes help sitters improve while details are fresh. For subscription-style or repeating bookings, some markets use seven days per cycle.
What To Do When The Button Is Missing
If the booking never moved past Pending or was paid off-platform, the review box will not appear. If the stay is still active, wait for checkout. If you believe the option should be there, refresh the app, sign out and back in, then check again.
Troubleshooting And Quick Fixes
| Issue | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No Leave a review link | Stay not in Past yet, or payment off-platform | Wait for checkout; only reviewed stays paid on the platform can be rated |
| Can’t submit | Weak connection or app cache | Switch to Wi-Fi, force close and relaunch, or use desktop |
| Text missing after rating | You picked stars without text | Star-only ratings count but show no text; add comments next time |
Privacy And Safety Notes
Skip phone numbers, addresses, and personal contact details. Stick to pet care facts. If your note mentions risk or harm, the help team may follow up.
How To Be Fair With Stars
Match the number to the service delivered. Did the sitter follow instructions? Was communication timely? Did your pet come home relaxed? Use those anchors and keep the tone even.
Sample Review Templates You Can Adapt
Boarding
“We booked a weekend while out of town. Daily photo updates, meds given as directed, clean pickup. We will book again.”
Drop-Ins
“Two midday visits, water topped off, litter scooped, short play time, photos sent. Reliable and easy to coordinate.”
House Sitting
“Stayed overnight with our senior dog. Gave pills, handled a late flight change, and left the place tidy. Strong work.”
When You Want To Add A Tip
Tips live in the same flow as the review in the app. You can also return to the past stay to add a tip later. Sitters receive the full amount.
Can You Update Or Remove A Note?
Edits are limited. If you need a change, contact the help team with the booking link. For disputes, attach chat logs and any photos to help the team review.
How Your Review Affects Badges
Many sitters earn profile badges when averages stay high and response habits are strong. Your rating feeds those stats. Choose the number that reflects your experience. Empty stars help no one. The program page explains the standards for badges like Star Sitter.
What If Things Went Wrong?
If care concerns came up, post a calm, factual note. Then contact the help team through the Help Center. For urgent pet health issues, call your vet first and notify the help desk after your pet is stable.
Owner Feedback You Might Receive
Sitters may rate pets for clarity of instructions, pickups, or behavior. You’ll receive that by email when the window closes, or sooner if both sides submit.
Regional Notes
Policies are similar across countries with small timing differences. If your region shows seven days for recurring jobs, follow that date. The UK help page confirms the seven-day note for repeating jobs.
Pro Tips From Busy Pet Parents
- Write the note while the stay is fresh. Keep a simple checklist during the booking: updates, timeliness, cleanliness, pet mood.
- Be generous with detail when it helps. One clear line about meds or yard security can guide future matches.
- When in doubt, draft your text in a notes app and paste it.
Frequently Missed Details That Matter To Readers
Was the yard secure? Were walks on time? Were feeding and meds accurate? Did pickup match the plan? Any small extras like a washed bowl or a tidy crate? Small facts build trust.
The Ethics Of Public Feedback
Be fair, be honest, and avoid spite. If a genuine issue arose, post facts and skip guesswork. Praise with specifics. Critique with care. That makes your note useful for the next pet parent and fair to the sitter.
What Sitters See And When
Sitter profiles show the star average and the written comments once visible. Some badges require a high average star count. A star-only note changes the math but adds no text.
How To Encourage Reviews When You Are A Sitter
Friendly reminders help. After checkout, send a thank-you and a light nudge through the platform. Keep it short and gracious.
A Final Checklist Before You Hit Submit
- Is the booking in Past?
- Did you choose stars that match the stay?
- Did you write one to three crisp lines?
- Did you avoid private data?
- Did you submit within the window?
That’s the whole path. Clear, timely reviews make pet care better for everyone.
Write A Balanced Review: Scenarios And Lines You Can Borrow
Short and clear beats long and vague. Pick one or two facts that someone else can act on. If timing or communication stood out, say so. If your pet has meds or quirks, note how the sitter handled them. If you plan to rebook, state it plainly.
Here are more one-liners you can adapt: “Handled thunder anxiety with care.” “Stayed in touch during a flight delay.” “Yard gate stayed locked and walks were on schedule.” “Crate was clean at pickup.” “Good with leash reactivity near other dogs.”
After You Submit: Timing And Visibility
Your words and star count attach to that booking. The text shows once both parties post or when the clock runs out. If you only picked stars, your rating still counts toward the sitter’s average. Badges such as Star Sitter weigh that average along with other stats; see the public page on Star Sitter for the requirements.